Horses in ASOIAF

The next is a Sand Steed. It's supposed to be a fast desert horse.

There are two real-world desert horses that might work: the Akhal-Teke, which is a racehorse from Turkmanistan, and the Arabian. Many people believe that Byerley Turk, one of the founding sires of the thoroughbred breed, was an Akhal-Teke. Here is what the Akhal-teke looks like:




This is the Arabian, bred as a war horse for the deserts of the middle east. Also one of today's racehorse foundations, it is the premiere endurance horses internationally.

Next is the destrier, a knight's horse for tornaments and jousting. This horse needs to be strong enough for carrying a man in armor, and flashy enough to look good in barding, draped in the family colors.
Many people think of workhorses as knight's horse, but they were more likely to be like today's warmbloods.

This is a Holsteiner, one of Germany's oldest warmblood breeds.

Finally, there is the courser, a war horse that can run, jump, and be used for hunting. Again, needs to be big enough for a man in armor or chainmail, but it is smaller or at least lighter than the destier.
For this type, I think the Trakehaner, another old German warmblood, is a good fit. They are lighter and faster than many warmbloods, and excell in 3-Day eventing, which is based on cavelry trials.


Thanks for reading. I hope your mind-pictures are richer than they were before!

SlyWren said

Second, re: palfreys. I also understood, from my obviously extensive and scholarly research into medieval riding (see also: History Channel watching during insomnia) that horses like the icelandic pony/horse were used. Because they have the ambling gait. Very level. Minimal jostling. Horses and rider can keep it us for hours.

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Thanks! I'll see if I can find one to insert into the paltry area. Sleep is eluding me tonight, too. But there is much to learn in the middle of the night!

SlyWren, I added the icelandic to the palfreys. Very cute faces :-)

Isn't garron a term used primarily in Scotland & Ireland?

I thought so. My extent of horses is horsemanship merit badge in the Boy Scouts. I know how to ride, but it has been many years since I did so.

You're right, and the original warmbloods were hot + coldblood horse...like your Twist :-). Today they're refined somewhat in looks, but still huge. Most are well over 16 hands, and wide, and strong.
Remember, dressage training is the direct descendant of war horse training. The Royal Lippizan School, the Cadre Noir in France still teach military riding
:-) There was a Prussian School at one time too, I think. German School dressage still exists, fer sure :thumbup: